Sowah leads ruthless Fire response in Geelong

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What a difference 72 hours makes in the WNBL.

It was just last Tuesday last placed Geelong Venom went into Fortress Fire Pit and demolished third-placed Townsville 88-71 in what was one of three stunning upsets of Round 12.

Five-time WNBL coach of the Year Shannon Seebohm and his coaching staff clearly worked hard on the scout and the Fire responded from the tip off.

It was a completely different basketball team that flipped the script, beating the Venom 91-67 – a 41-point swing.

Fire big Alicia Froling and Venom guard Shyla Heal were assessed double technicals after the pair got tangled up in a rebounding contest in the middle of the third quarter. Tempers flared but the contest was well and truly over by then. It was Heal's fourth personal foul and she had to sit out the remainder of the quarter.

Heal fouled out with four minutes to go in the fourth, with 15 points.

Key Details

• Result: Townsville Fire 91 def. Geelong Venom 67
• When: Friday, 9th January 2026
• Where: Geelong Arena, Geelong
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Miela Sowah (Townsville Fire) starred with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 32 minutes.
• Lilly Rotunno (Geelong Venom) scored 15 points, and had five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 33 minutes.

What Happened

The Fire established their dominance early but truly seized control in the second quarter, unleashing a devastating 34-15 scoring blitz that effectively decided the contest. After a competitive opening period that saw 15 lead changes, Townsville's offensive explosion in the second quarter gave them a commanding 55-37 advantage at the main break.

Miela Sowah's exceptional shooting display proved pivotal for the Fire's victory. The guard was outstanding from deep, connecting on 5-from-7 three-pointers while shooting an efficient 50% from the field overall. Her 22-point performance anchored a balanced offensive attack that saw five players reach double figures.

Abbey Ellis provided excellent support with 20 points on superb 60% field goal shooting, including 2-from-3 from downtown. Alexandra Fowler contributed 13 points with perfect shooting inside the arc (3-from-3) and added seven rebounds, while Courtney Woods chipped in 11 points and four rebounds in just over 20 minutes of action.

For Geelong, three players shared the scoring load with 15 points each. Lilly Rotunno shot a solid 60% from three-point range but struggled inside the arc, while Shyla Heal was efficient with 7-from-13 field goals. Mackenzie Holmes battled hard in the paint with 11 rebounds and 15 points, but the Venom's overall offensive struggles proved costly.

The Fire's superior shooting ability was the defining factor in this contest. Townsville shot a solid 54% from the field compared to Geelong's underwhelming 44%, while their three-point shooting was particularly impressive at 47% compared to the Venom's poor 20% from beyond the arc. The visitors also dominated the paint, outscoring their hosts 50-34 in the key area.

Townsville's defensive intensity forced Geelong into difficult shots throughout the contest. The Fire recorded 11 steals and six blocks while limiting the Venom to just 38 rebounds compared to their own 41. The visitors also controlled the tempo, leading for over 32 minutes of the 40-minute contest.

The margin continued to grow in the second half as Townsville maintained their shooting efficiency. A 10-point scoring run in the second quarter helped establish their biggest lead of 29 points, effectively putting the game beyond doubt well before the final buzzer.

With this dominant performance, Townsville Fire demonstrated their offensive firepower and defensive ability in equal measure. The comprehensive nature of the victory, built on balanced scoring and strong perimeter shooting, showcased the depth of their roster.